Paz·za

[Paht-sa] adjective/noun

1 adjective (feminine): crazy, mad, insane, foolish, wild

2 noun: the newly renovated East Boston Italian restaurant

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Public Service Announcement: Before we go any further in this article, please note that the pronunciation of the restaurant is PAHT-SA, NOT PAUSE-ZA. How do you pronounce pizza?

Exactly. Now, carry on.

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In 2019, Raffaele Scalzi and Mivan Spencer opened Pazza on Porter at 107 Porter Street in East Boston. It was a contemporary Italian spot with a modern take on your family favorites.

At the time, they were renting the space and didn’t want to do too many renovations on a restaurant that wasn’t truly theirs. In Scalzi’s words, “It wasn’t worth decorating someone else’s Christmas tree.”

Six years later, this past February, they were able to buy the building. Now, Pazza on Porter, and their adjoining speakeasy Next Door Speakeasy & Raw Bar are officially, completely theirs.

Once the t’s were crossed and the i’s were dotted, the first order of business was to update Pazza and bring it up to speed while making sure it remained authentic to the story they have been trying to tell since they opened.

“Pazza [symbolizes] the crazy way we bring Italian food to East Boston,” Scalzi said.

For decor, they leaned into a semi-vintage Italian theme with neutral colors, lots of framed photos, retro tiling behind the bar and bright lighting.

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The menu also got a not-so-mini makeover, going from 42 items to 27. Some unique options for you to try include:

You’re Making Me Caprese Cocktail: Tomato infused gin, burrata water syrup, basil syrup, burrata foam and dipping crackers

Farfalla Siciliana: Farfalle pasta in a pistachio cream sauce with smoked prosciutto

Pazza Prime Burger: Mozzarella, vodka pink sauce, basil, crispy pancetta, brioche bun

The great thing is you can channel your inner Joey Chestnut and order one of everything because of the healthy ingredients they use.

Have you ever gone or have heard about your friends going to Italy and eating pasta for breakfast, lunch and dinner without feeling bloated at all?

Pazza uses the same kind of pasta – It’s directly from Italy and simply made of wheat and water, no additives. That means, you have no excuse to not dine there all the time!

AND, they no longer cook with canola oil or heavily processed seed oils.

Why would you want to host your corporate dinners, birthday parties or baby showers anywhere else?

Overall, Scalzi is just pleased with the feedback they have received since their grand reopening back in June and is happy that they were finally able to fully invest in themselves.

“We own the building now. We’re not going anywhere,” Scalzi said.

Visit pazzaonporter.com to view their menus, learn about their catering options and stay up to date on upcoming events they may host.